Chapter 176: Going to Wakanda for Poverty Alleviation (Two-in-One)
Night falls, starlight and the shimmering waves of the sea reflect each other.
Off the coast of New York, a sprawling artificial island full of futuristic sci-fi vibes stood quietly on the sea surface.
Here was a miracle hammered out by Stark Industriesusing hard cash and technology.
It was also the new base for the Justice Leaguesuperheroes.
At this moment, the panoramic restaurant of the base was brightly lit, and the atmosphere was lively.
A long table over ten meters long was covered with meticulously prepared delicacies.
French blue lobsters, Alba white truffles, caviar, and vintage Romanée-Conti.
Luka leaned lazily against the back of the chair in the main seat.
On his left, Gwen Stacy smiled radiantly as she chatted with Mary Jane opposite her about interesting things regarding college elective courses.
On his right, Wanda, though her cheeks were slightly flushed, obediently helped him cut the steak on his plate.
At a nearby seat, Peter Parker gesticulated wildly as he told Aunt Mei about the wonders of the base, while Aunt Mei looked at him with a gaze full of affection and helplessness.
And on the periphery of the dining table,
Natasha and Jessica wore matching black, form-fitting maid outfits, stepped in high heels, held trays, and expressionlessly poured wine and changed plates for everyone.
The two women who once commanded the winds and rains in the Agent world could now only humiliatingly play the role of serving tea and water.
Luka gently took a sip of red wine, satisfaction and comfort flashing in his eyes.
This was the pleasure brought by the dual suppression of capital and power.
"Jarvis." Luka spoke into the communicator at his hand.
"Report the recent earnings to me."
"Alright, sir." Jarvis's gentle voice sounded in Luka's miniature cochlear communicator.
"First is the business footprint."
"The internal auction for the Stark Miracle Drug has concluded."
"The first course of treatment with a starting price of 500 million U.S. dollars was finally won by a royal member from the Middle East at an astronomical price of 3.8 billion U.S. dollars."
"Currently, among the top 500 wealthiest people in the world, more than eighty have submitted intent deposits to us. It is estimated that the net profit for the first quarter will exceed 200 billion U.S. dollars."
"In addition, the asset acquisition work of the Oscorp Group has been fully completed."
"Its core biological laboratory, genetic engineering patent library, and thirty-seven arsenals located across the United States have all been merged into Stark Industries."
"Moreover, the market value of Stark Industries surged by another forty-five percent at today's close, firmly ranking first in the world."
"Congratulations, sir. Because of your drug, the pharmaceutical industry has gone crazy, and in personal wealth, you have surpassed Mr. Tony for the first time, taking the position of the world's richest man."
"Furthermore, it is worth mentioning that this time marks the fifth anniversary of you and Mr. Tony consecutively holding the title of the world's richest man."
Hearing these numbers, Luka smiled with satisfaction.
Money had become a meaningless number to him; he was not interested in money, and he had never touched money.
The happiest time was more than a decade ago when he only spent 50,000 U.S. dollars a day.
But then again, the feeling of annexing former rivals and having the wealth of the entire world continuously flowing into one's own pockets was indeed wonderful.
"Then, what about my personal data?" Luka continued to ask.
"This is the most surprising part, sir." Jarvis seemed to experience emotional fluctuations of excitement.
"Through a comprehensive analysis of the battle with Doctor Octopus and Hulk, as well as the magic energy you absorbed, your current body cells have completed their third deep evolution."
"Your baseline strength is estimated to have broken through the 8,000-ton level. Under full burst status, this figure will reach tens of thousands of tons. After putting on the battle suit and receiving enhancement, it is even more unimaginable."
"At the same time, nourished by Chaos Magic, the battle suit has been completely assimilated by your genes."
"With just a thought from you, it can provide the strongest dual physical and energy defense currently known on Earth. It can be said that your current life tier has far surpassed the scope of human beings."
"When Hulk is not angry, he is nothing more than a loli in front of you."
Luka narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling the seemingly inexhaustible power within his body.
"Eight thousand tons..."
Luka calculated silently in his heart.
This data was indeed shocking, but for some reason, he had an illusion, always feeling that it was far from enough.
Especially after The Ancient One gave him a grand soul drifting trip last time.
He was very clear that these guys on Earth were just appetizers in the novice village.
The real threat was those monsters hidden deep in the Universe, those cosmic gods capable of destroying a galaxy at every turn.
"In the short term, I want to completely control the extraordinary power of Earth, making those two old dogs, S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra, tremble under my feet."
"And in the long term..."
A trace of ambition flashed in Luka's eyes.
"I will surely rush out of Earth and suck dry those so-called cosmic gods! I want the entire Universe to know that the Stark Family is the maker of the rules!"
After a bout of daydreaming, Luka was in a great mood.
Then he put down his wine glass and tapped the edge of the goblet with a spoon.
"Ding, ding, ding."
The crisp sound echoed in the restaurant, and everyone stopped talking and cast their gazes over.
"Everyone."
Luka smiled and looked around at everyone.
"Welcome to the new home of the Justice League. The scenery here is not bad, right?"
Hearing this, Peter immediately raised his hand excitedly.
"Mr. Luka, this place is so cool! I just saw that there is actually an anti-gravity simulation pod in the training room!"
Luka smiled, pressed his hand down, and motioned for Peter to sit down.
"This is just basic configuration, Peter. Since Stark Industries has turned saving the world into a business, we must exhibit the most professional attitude."
Speaking of this, Luka's expression turned serious.
"Starting from today, the Justice League Superhero Department officially begins operation. Everyone present is a core employee of this department."
"Since they are employees, they naturally have employee benefits."
"Starting tomorrow, each of you will have an annual salary starting at 200 million U.S. dollars. If you go on missions, there are also high performance bonuses and danger subsidies."
"Calculated over a year... probably 500 million U.S. dollars."
"Hiss!!"
Hearing this number, Peter and Aunt Mei simultaneously gasped.
"Two hundred million U.S. dollars?! And starting at that?!"
For Peter, who had always been worried about next month's rent, this was simply a golden mountain falling from the sky!
Pietro also wore a look of utter bewilderment and excitement.
"Five hundred million U.S. dollars?!"
"Was Luka's brain fried?!"
"Then didn't this mean he didn't have to pay back debts anymore?!"
Even the constantly silent Bruce Banner couldn't help but be surprised.
"Of course, there is no free lunch in this world."
Seeing everyone's reactions, Luka changed the subject, his tone becoming majestic.
"If you take Stark Industries' money, you must obey Stark Industries' rules."
"First, all operational directives and public relations images must completely follow the company's arrangements. The person responsible for managing your daily affairs is Ms. Pepper Potts."
"She will not restrict your personal freedom, but if you make any messes outside or accept some messy interviews, the company will immediately hold you accountable."
"Second, and most importantly."
Luka's gaze turned icy, slowly sweeping across everyone present, especially Peter Parker.
"After a while, when Tony and Steve return from their advanced studies in Kamar-Taj, he and I will personally make a trip to Washington, go to the White House, and hold a hearing with those politicians."
"Our purpose is only one. That is to strive for legal and superficial law enforcement power for the Justice Leaguethat is not restricted by official agencies!"
"Once we get this power, whenever you execute missions in the future and encounter those extremely vicious criminals, or those madmen who cannot be sanctioned by the law..."
Luka paused, saying word by word,
"Kill them directly, never hold back."
"Of course, you cannot use it to do bad things. Once I find out that you use your authority to take drugs, commit crimes, smuggle genetic serums and the company's genetic drugs, or host some messy superhuman orgies..."
"You know my methods."
As soon as these words came out, the restaurant instantly fell silent.
Peter's face turned somewhat pale, and he subconsciously clenched his fists.
"Mr. Luka... kill them directly? Would this... be too cruel?"
"Cruel?"
Luka sneered.
"Peter, tell me, if you hadn't let Otto go last time, wouldn't those civilians who died because of the building collapse caused by Otto's escape have been safe and sound?"
"I am not asking you to be holy mothers, nor am I asking you to be Gotham's bat, but to make you understand a principle."
"Locking those madmen in prison is just providing them with a place to rest and plan their next jailbreak. If they break out of prison, more people will die!"
"Our responsibility is to solve problems, not to deliver performance to the police department. A dead criminal is the best criminal."
"Moreover, you must understand one thing: civilians are our most loyal backing."
"Without their support, how can we make money? How can we go on missions?"
"We surely can't go protect those capitalists and politicians?!"
"There is an old saying in the East: water can carry a boat, and it can also capsize it."
"Meaning that the water surface can make ships sail, and it can also make ships sink."
"Civilians are like water, and we are like a boat."
"Of course, as the saying goes, it's not asking you to play the saint and save people unconditionally, but rather to keep you from getting hopelessly lost in the whirlpool of power."
"Our money comes from ordinary people, and our posters and merchandise have to be sold to them. So, you'd better not be the villains who stop me from making money."
Luca's words struck heavily upon everyone's heart.
Even though his words implied that everything was for the sake of making money.
After all, having spent so much time together, they all knew Luca wasn't the kind of person to have a sudden burst of saintly compassion.
Since Luca would say such things this time, it seemed this so-called superhero department might actually make a lot of money.
But at the same time, they also felt the pressure.
If doing something bad affected the stocks... Luca wouldn't give them a hard time, right...?
Peter lowered his head, sinking into deep thought.
He knew that what Mr. Luca said was the truth.
In front of a cruel reality, moral bottom lines would only bring even greater disaster.
"However..." Dr. Banner spoke up hesitatingly.
"What if the White House and politicians don't agree? After all, handing over the power of life and death to a private enterprise is intolerable in any country."
"They will agree."
Hearing this, Luca smiled mysteriously.
"If they don't, I'll let them understand what true superhumans are."
"Unless they can endure my wrath. Otherwise, they can try to imagine..."
Luca's eyes instantly lit up with a dazzling red and blue glow, and the temperature in the entire dining room plummeted sharply.
"What terrible things will happen when a completely out-of-control Superman exists."
Boom!
This sentence was like a demon's whisper.
Images involuntarily surfaced in the minds of everyone present.
If a monster capable of lifting an aircraft carrier with bare hands and melting everything with its eyes went berserk over Washington, what kind of doomsday catastrophe would that be?
Everyone swallowed in utter terror.
They had no doubt that Luca Stark would definitely pull off something like this.
Meanwhile, not far away, Natasha and Jessica, holding trays, were frightened into breaking out in cold sweat.
The two women exchanged glances, seeing fear in each other's eyes.
"Crazy... This is an absolute lunatic!" Natasha roared frantically in her heart.
"He actually wants to use armed force to threaten the United States government?! He wants to directly seize the legal right to kill!"
"If he gets his way, S.H.I.E.L.D. will lose its voice over extraordinary powers!"
Natasha clenched her fists, deciding to report the news to Nick Fury immediately as soon as the banquet ended.
S.H.I.E.L.D. had to make preparations in advance, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable.
And Jessica's thoughts were surprisingly consistent.
"He cannot be allowed to go to the White House! If the other party obtains legitimate enforcement rights, all of Hydra's secret operations will be righteously purged by him!"
"Minister Pierce must be notified immediately!"
Luca took in every subtle expression of the two women, sneering inwardly.
This was the effect he wanted.
Make these two old dogs tremble in fear, and let them know that the times have changed.
"Alright, put away your fear."
Luca withdrew the light in his eyes, and the temperature in the dining room returned to normal.
"Before going to the White House, I have another piece of good news to tell everyone."
"A new invention co-developed by Tony and me is about to be put into use."
Luca snapped his fingers, and the hologram above the dining table instantly lit up, displaying a radar map covering the entire United States.
"This is the Wide-Area Supernatural Phenomenon Detector."
"This instrument is connected to Stark Industries' global satellite network, and its core function is to monitor any abnormal fluctuations within the United States in real time."
"In other words, whenever superhuman crime occurs in the future, or aliens or magic monsters descend, this instrument will notify the Justice League at the first moment."
Luca looked at everyone and spoke with some excitement.
"Starting tomorrow, the Justice League's operations will no longer be limited to New York and Los Angeles. We are going to expand our business across the United States. Wherever there is trouble, our figure will be there."
Hearing this news, Peter and Gwen both showed surprised expressions.
"Pan-U.S. reconnaissance? That's too magical!" Peterexclaimed.
Although it felt incredible, since it was the technology of the Stark Brothers, everyone quickly accepted the fact.
Just as the banquet atmosphere became relaxed again and everyone started discussing the new base facilities.
"Alert. The base perimeter defense system has detected an abnormal approach."
Jarvis's voice suddenly sounded, interrupting the cheerful rhythm of the banquet.
The map on the holographic screen switched instantly, showing the deep-sea area on the outer periphery of the new base.
"Sir, an unflagged mini-submarine with both optical and radar stealth engaged has just broken through our outer cordon and is approaching the base's unloading dock."
Hearing this news, everyone put down their knives and forks.
"Stealth submarine?" Banner frowned.
"Are they S.H.I.E.L.D. people?"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s submarine technology isn't this advanced." Natasha blurted out subconsciously.
Then she immediately shut her mouth, covering up her slip of the tongue.
Luca ignored Natasha's cover-up and instead looked at the red dot on the screen with great interest.
"This is somewhat interesting."
"Someone actually dares to proactively sneak into the Justice League's lair. Jarvis, don't activate the defense weapons, open the dock gates and let them in."
"I'd like to see which lost mouse dares to come to Stark Industries' kitchen to steal cheese."
A few minutes later.
The base's unloading dock.
A black, streamlined submarine surfaced.
The hatch opened, and several fully armed mercenaries escorted a man out.
This man was wearing a suit and sported a carefully trimmed handlebar mustache.
This was Ulysses Klaue.
The most notorious arms dealer on the global black market, and the only man who had successfully stolen Vibranium from a mysterious country.
Klaue led his subordinates swaggeringly into the dock corridor.
However, before he had walked a few steps.
Hum!!
A magical Biokinetic Field suddenly descended from the sky, crashing down on them like Mount Tai pressing down.
"Thud!"
"Ah!"
Before Klaue and his subordinates could react, they were pinned to the floor by this invisible giant force.
This group of people felt like their bones were about to break and their internal organs were being squeezed.
Afterwards, Klaue raised his head in terror.
And saw a man walking leisurely from the front of the corridor.
"Yo, so it's you, Ulysses Klaue."
Luca stopped in front of Klaue, looking down condescendingly at this fellow.
"Uninvited trespassing on private property."
"You'd better give me a reason not to throw you into the sea to feed the sharks."
Klaue panted with difficulty, squeezing out a smile on his face that was uglier than crying.
"St... Mr. Stark! Misunderstanding! It's a misunderstanding!"
"I'm here to talk business! A big business!"
Klaue tried hard to raise his head and shouted loudly.
"I saw the combat footage of you wearing the battle suit on the black market! I've also heard of the power of the Starkmiracle!"
"I have a batch of the hardest metal in the world that can absorb and reflect kinetic energy! I want to use them to exchange with you for a batch of life serums!"
Hearing about a metal that absorbed kinetic energy, Luca's eyes lit up instantly.
Could it be Vibranium?!
Of course he knew what Vibranium was.
After all, Steve's shield was made by old dad Howardusing Vibranium and other metals.
He was just worried that although the symbiote battle suit was formidable, there was still room to improve its defense when facing extreme physical blows.
If the characteristics of Vibranium could be integrated into the symbiote, the battle suit would definitely produce a qualitative leap!
Moreover, with Vibranium, the new battle armor of Tonyand other members of the Justice League could also continue to upgrade.
However, was Luca the kind of person who would obediently make a trade?
Obviously not.
Thinking of this, Luca's smile became even more brilliant.
"A trade?"
Luca slowly squatted down and patted Klaue's face, which was distorted by pain.
"Mr. Klaue, you might have some misunderstanding about Stark Industries' corporate culture."
"In my territory, there are never trades, only acquisitions."
Luca stood up, his gaze turning merciless and cold.
"Your life, plus the Vibranium in your hands, in exchange for you walking out of here alive today."
"Now, tell me, where on Earth did you get these metals from?"
Klaue widened his eyes in terror.
He finally understood that he had provoked a bandit even more unreasonable than himself!
Under the threat of death, Klaue did not dare to hesitate.
"Wakanda! It was obtained from Wakanda!"
"That is an agricultural country hidden in Africa, but they actually own a Vibranium mine!"
Hearing this answer, Luca nodded with satisfaction.
"Very good."
"Since the world needs the Justice League, we'll go to Africa to alleviate poverty."
"Wakanda's Vibranium, Stark Industries will take it all."
Chapter 177: We Are Righteous! (Two-in-One)
"Bang!"
A muffled impact echoed through the dining room.
Klaw was mercilessly thrown onto the ground by Luca.
After rolling twice on the floor, he clutched his seemingly broken ribs, letting out intermittent wails.
Just moments ago, Luca had brought this guy back.
Although everyone was very curious, they also wanted to know what Luca was going to do.
At this moment, everyone's gaze fell upon this uninvited guest.
In the corner, Natasha and Jessica were also curiously sizing up this guy.
Ulysses Klaw!
The most headache-inducing arms dealer on the global black market!
This man was as slippery as an eel; intelligence agencies from various countries had been hunting him for years without even catching a glimpse of his shadow.
But comically, he was now sprawled at the feet of Luca Stark like a dead dog?!
Natasha and Jessica exchanged a subtle glance.
They could only say that fate sure liked to play tricks.
"Sizzz..."
Just then, a ring of sparks suddenly lit up in the open space beside the dining table.
The sparks rapidly expanded, tearing open a circular portal over two meters high.
Amidst everyone's astonished gazes, Steve strode out in large strides.
He looked extremely displeased, with an unlit cigarette clamped in his mouth.
Closely following behind him was Sorcerer Wong, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"Fuck! That damn circle spun my stomach upside down; this is even more nauseating than riding in a German troop carrier!"
As soon as Steve came out, he grumbled profanely while taking the cigarette in his hand and pointing at the portal behind him.
"If it weren't for the snowy mountain being so boring that there wasn't even a chick to talk to, I wouldn't have come over, damn it."
At the head of the table, Luca raised an eyebrow.
"Old Popsicle, aren't you cultivating your character in Kamar-Taj? What, can't handle the monastic precepts anymore?"
"To hell with monastic precepts!"
Steve pulled out a chair and sat down, resting his legs on the edge of the dining table.
"Up there, besides snow, it's just a bunch of virgins in pajamas waving their arms around in the yard! Not a single dirty joke can anyone understand."
"The news said the base was built, so I had the fatty open a door for me to come get some fresh air."
Wong completely ignored Steve's rant, his gaze long since captivated by the table full of delicacies.
"Good evening, Mr. Luca."
After looking for a long time, Wong finally couldn't help swallowing a mouthful of saliva, sitting down unceremoniously next to Steve.
"Practicing in Kamar-Taj is a physically draining task; I feel I need to replenish some high protein."
Luca smiled indifferently.
"Eat up, fatty. Food is the last thing the Stark family lacks."
"For God's sake, Luca."
Steve saw Klaw on the ground and frowned in disgust.
"In the time it took to go out and take a piss, you brought back a guy who looks like a sewer rat?"
"This is going to affect my eating this damn seafood! Rats smell even more pungent than a public toilet in Brooklyn!"
Luca shrugged, picked up his wine glass, and gently swirled it.
"Stop complaining, Steve."
"This isn't a rat, but a treasure-seeking mouse that can bring us a mountain of gold."
Luca leaned forward slightly, looking down coldly at Klaw.
"Mr. Klaw, stop playing dead. The carpet here is worth more than your life; if you dirty it, you can't afford to compensate."
"Now, use that smooth-talking mouth of yours to repeat what you just said."
Klaw was slightly stunned.
What does this mean? Is he not letting me go?!
Luca ignored what the other party was thinking and quietly took a sip of wine.
"Remember, only speak of the key points. If you dare to hide half a word, I'll let the sharks outside have a midnight snack."
Klaw shivered all over in fright.
No longer caring about the excruciating pain in his body, he hurriedly scrambled up on hands and knees into a comical kneeling posture.
He knew that Luca was a madman even more terrifying than terrorists.
"Y-Yes, Mr. Stark!"
Klaw swallowed a mouthful of saliva and hurriedly explained.
"Everyone... I came here to trade an Earth-shattering secret for the life potion of Stark Industries."
"You might only know about Vibranium, but you definitely don't know that it is the hardest metal on Earth and can absorb kinetic energy."
"This thing can sell for ten thousand dollars a gram on the black market!"
Hearing the word Vibranium, Steve's movements paused, and his gaze subconsciously looked toward the shield placed aside.
Peter Parker and Bruce Banner were also a bit surprised.
As scientists, they certainly knew the value of Vibranium.
That was the Holy Grail of materials science.
"But what does this have to do with your secret?" Bannerpushed up his glasses and couldn't help asking.
"The outside world thinks Vibranium is just a little residue brought by a meteorite. But in reality, that's not the case!"
Speaking of this, Klaw's eyes flashed with a greedy light, which was a yearning for wealth.
"Deep in Africa, there is a country called Wakanda."
"In the United Nations data, it is an agricultural country where people can't even get enough to eat. Everywhere are thatched huts and shepherds."
Klaw raised his voice, his voice echoing in the dining room.
"But that's all fake! It's an illusion disguised by holographic projections!"
"Hidden beneath these illusions is a truly high-tech metropolis! Their technological level is even decades more advanced than the United States!"
"And all of this is because they own a huge mine formed by an entire Vibranium meteorite! The entire Wakanda is built upon Vibranium!"
As the voice fell.
The dining room fell silent.
Even Steve forgot to chew the lobster meat in his mouth, his mouth wide open, looking somewhat comical.
Peter Parker widened his eyes even more, as if he had heard some Arabian Nights fantasy.
"A... country built on Vibranium?"
"And technology more advanced than ours? This sounds like a plot from science fiction."
Wanda and Pietro exchanged a glance, also full of disbelief.
Compared to everyone's shock, the internal reactions of the two women standing on the periphery were much more violent.
Natasha tightened her grip, almost crushing the tray.
"Wakanda? A disguised agricultural country? A huge Vibranium mine?!"
"S.H.I.E.L.D.'s intelligence network is actually blind! Director Fury has always thought that was just a poor backcountry, and hasn't even sent a single Agent there!"
Natasha felt a layer of cold sweat oozing from her back.
If what Klaw said was true, Wakanda was definitely a force capable of threatening the world's pattern.
"No! We must find a way to transmit this intelligence to the Director! S.H.I.E.L.D. must intervene immediately!"
On the other side, Jessica's thoughts were completely different.
At this moment, only greed remained in her.
"Vibranium! Endless Vibranium!"
"Minister Pierce and Dr. Zola have always been looking for metals that can carry high-intensity energy!"
"If Hydra can get this mine, we can build an indestructible Vibranium army!"
"By then, wouldn't ruling the world be a breeze?!"
Jessica secretly glanced at Luca, her heartbeat racing.
She decided that tonight, no matter what means she used, even at the risk of exposure, she had to transmit this news back to headquarters!
However, whether it was Natasha or Jessica, their thoughts were all within Luca's expectations.
Or rather, this was precisely the desired effect.
He wasn't afraid of the news leaking; he just wanted to let them muddy the waters.
In front of true power, all conspiracies and tricks were merely seasonings to let him watch a show.
Thinking thus, Luca tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop, entering deep thought.
"Vibranium... this is indeed a good thing."
"Although the battle suit can amplify seventy times and has assimilated Chaos Magic with extremely strong magicresistance."
"But in terms of physical defense, it still lacks a hard skeleton."
"If Vibranium can be integrated, allowing the battle suit to simultaneously possess the flexibility of liquid and the hardness of Vibranium in absorbing kinetic energy..."
Thinking of this, Luca's eyes grew brighter and brighter.
"By then, let alone nuclear bombs, even if those cosmic demon gods come to Earth to run amok, I can still match them."
Not only that, Luca also thought of Tony who was learning magic in Kamar-Taj.
"Tony must be full of magic in his head right now."
"But the metals on Earth simply cannot carry the energy lines of magic arrays."
"If Vibranium can be used as a magical metal, then using it to forge a new armor will not only solve the space problem, but also raise the firepower by several grades."
"Not to mention the other members of the Justice League, everyone having a set of Vibranium equipment—this is the kind of prestige a superhero department should have."
Thinking of this, Luca had already made a decision.
Wakanda's Vibranium, he was determined to have it.
"Mr. Klaw, your intelligence is very valuable."
Luca ended his thoughts, and his gaze returned to Klaw.
"Stark Industries has always been generous. Jarvis, arrange a room for this gentleman, and by the way, give him a box of scraps from the Stark Miracle Potion. Happy, watch him; as long as he doesn't die, that's fine."
"Alright, sir."
Happy immediately stepped forward and dragged the profusely thanking Klaw out of the dining room.
When the restaurant door closed, Luka looked at the people on both sides of the long table.
He picked up a napkin to wipe his hands and spoke in a casual tone.
"Alright, everyone. Everyone has heard the situation."
Hearing this, everyone turned their gazes over.
Luka crossed his hands and rested them under his chin, a winning smile hanging on his face.
"Since such a huge cake is hidden in the world, there is no reason for us not to eat it."
"Early tomorrow morning, get ready to set off."
"We are going to Africa for poverty alleviation. Take full control of Wakanda's Vibranium resources."
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the restaurant changed instantly.
Peter stood there in a daze, becoming somewhat conflicted.
Looking at the people around him and finding that everyone was silent, he had no choice but to muster up his courage and weakly raise his hand.
"Um... Mr. Luka."
Peter's voice was a bit timid, but he still braced himself and said it out loud.
"Isn't it a bit bad for us to do this?"
Luka raised his eyebrows and looked at Peter.
"Not good? What's not good about it, Four Hundred Aunties?"
Peter took a deep breath, trying to express his concerns.
"Wakanda is a sovereign country. And Vibranium is a resource belonging to themselves."
"If we just go over and take over like this, to put it harshly... isn't this robbery? Isn't this an invasion?"
The more Peter spoke, the softer his voice became, but he still insisted on finishing his words.
"We are the Justice League, we are superheroes, shouldn't we protect others? If we go and rob other people's things, what difference do we have from those criminals?"
Hearing Peter's words, Bruce Banner, who was sitting in the corner, also nodded in agreement.
He was a pacifist, and he really had some aversion to bandit behavior.
"Peter makes sense, Luka." Banner pushed up his glasses and said softly.
"If we invade Wakanda, it will definitely trigger a war. By then, many people will bleed and sacrifice, which runs counter to our original intention."
Facing the doubts of Peter and Banner, before Luka could speak, a burst of laughter came over.
"Hahahaha!"
Steve slammed a hand on the dining table, shaking the wine and water to splash out.
He pointed at Peter, the expression on his face full of mockery.
"Kid, haven't your balls grown in yet? Why is your mind full of those weak thoughts?"
Steve stood up, his tall body exuding a sense of oppression.
He walked behind Peter and slapped Peter's shoulder hard.
"Robbery? Invasion?"
"Back in the European battlefield, when I broke into the German secret base, if I saw good things and didn't take them, the Sir would use his dogshit-stained boots to kick my ass!"
Steve sneered and looked around.
"You group of softies, do you think world peace is exchanged by sitting in the office drinking coffee and treating guests to dinner?"
"Bullshit!"
"Peace depends on whose fist is bigger, and who can squeeze good things in their hands and fight them out!"
Steve pointed at the sea outside the window, spit flying everywhere.
"Wakanda has such a good metal, but hides it underground to rot. This is called wasting natural resources! This is called a crime!"
"Not taking good things delivered to your door is a stupid thing that a bitch would do!"
"If I were the king of Wakanda, I would have used Vibranium to build an invincible army long ago, and flattened all those disobedient countries!"
"If it were like this earlier, there would have been no wars in the world long ago!!"
Steve's words were crude but made sense, entirely a style of the law of the jungle.
But for some reason, Peter didn't dare to refute a single word.
Banner also lowered his head awkwardly, not daring to look at Steve's cannibalistic gaze.
Luka couldn't help giving a thumbs up.
As expected of Old Popsicle, these values coincided with his own.
But as the boss of the Justice League, as the head of Stark Industries.
Luka felt that he still had to use a more decent way to convince these employees.
So, he cleared his throat solemnly, pretending to be very reasonable.
"Steve, mind your manners."
"We are not robber, how can we do such rude things as robbery?"
Luka turned to look at Peter, his eyes becoming sincere.
"Peter, you think of our behavior too narrowly."
"We don't need to rob, but to conduct antitrust investigations, and to introduce advanced management experience."
Peter was stunned, with a face full of question marks.
"Anti... antitrust investigation?"
"That's right."
Luka stood up, his hands propped on the tabletop.
"Peter, you said that with great power comes great responsibility, right?"
Peter immediately nodded, this has always been his belief.
"Then I ask you, if a country masters the technology and resources enough to change the destiny of all mankind, but holds it tightly in its hands, and even disguises itself as an agricultural country where people can't even get enough to eat."
"Then watching the outside world struggle in pain due to energy crises, diseases, and wars, while they live a godly life inside an energy shield."
"Do you think this is a responsible performance?"
Peter opened his mouth, suddenly feeling that it made some sense.
"This... this is indeed a bit selfish."
"It's not a bit selfish, this is a crime against all mankind!"
Luka's volume increased a bit, with a righteous face.
"Resources like Vibranium should not belong only to a certain closed-door tribe, but should belong to all mankind! Belong to the defense system of the entire Earth!"
Luka walked up to Peter and patted his shoulder earnestly.
"Think about it, if we can get Vibranium, Tony can build more powerful clean energy equipment, so that the worldwill no longer fight over oil."
"I can use Vibranium combined with biotechnology to manufacture more advanced medical devices and save countless lives."
"And you, you can also wear the Vibranium suit to protect more innocent citizens."
"Wakanda hides resources underground, which is called resource waste."
"Stark Industries goes to help them mine, and by the way, boosts their GDP."
"Therefore, we are not going to invade, but to send warmth. This is a legitimate business merger for the progress of all mankind!"
Peter was somewhat dumbfounded.
He hurriedly thought along with Luka's logic in his heart.
"That's right... if Vibranium can be used to save more people, then Wakanda hiding it is indeed wrong."
"Mr. Luka is for the future of all mankind, we have a responsibility to help them develop resources!"
Thinking of this, Peter's gaze gradually became clear.
Then he stood up and looked at Luka excitedly.
"I understand, Mr. Luka!"
"So that's how it is! With great power comes great responsibility! We have a responsibility to break technological barriers and make the world a better place!"
"We are saving everyone!"
Seeing this, Luka clapped his hands with satisfaction.
"Very good, Peter. You can comprehend this level, which shows that you are already a mature superhero."
Wanda, who was sitting aside, looked at Luka with even more adoring eyes.
She felt that Luka was simply glowing.
Not only was he powerful, but he also had such a lofty and great ideal.
"Luka is right," Wanda echoed firmly.
"Selfish people do not deserve such good things. We are the Justice League, and we will call the shots for the world."
Pietro rolled a big white eye beside them.
"What the hell sending warmth! What the hell antitrust investigation!"
"Clearly he just wants to go and rob other people's treasures, yet he can say it in such a fresh and refined way. Luka's mouth is really full of tricks when it comes to deceiving people."
But he didn't dare to say it out.
After all, he was now also a worker for Stark Industries.
Moreover, he also felt that Vibranium was indeed a good thing.
If he could get a set of Vibranium running shoes, wouldn't his speed be able to double again?
Wang was silently eating roasted oysters on the side, pretending not to hear anything.
The mages of Kamar-Taj do not participate in worldly disputes, he was only responsible for eating and providing magic advisory services.
Anyway, as long as it didn't affect his daily big meal, even if Luka blew up the moon, he wouldn't bother to care.
As for Natasha and Jessica, they were completely shocked by Luka's remarks.
As top Agents, they had witnessed the hypocrisy of countless politicians and ambitious people.
But this was the first time they had seen someone like Luka who could make robber logic sound so grand and righteous.
"This guy, not only is his strength a monster, but even this mouth is a monster."
Natasha thought silently in her heart, her fear of the Stark Brothers deepening by another fraction.
Luka walked back to the main seat, picked up his wine glass, and raised it towards everyone.
"Since everyone has reached a consensus in ideology."
"Then."
"Get ready."
"Tomorrow, all members of the Justice League will dispatch."
"Target, Wakanda."
Chapter 178: Nick: "Motherfucker!"
Late at night, off the coast of New York.
Inside the artificial island base of the Justice League, the dinner party had already ended.
At this moment, the dining room was empty.
Only a few automated cleaning robots were cleaning up.
In a women's restroom at the base, the faucet was turned on to maximum.
The rushing sound of water covered up all movement.
Natasha stood in front of the sink, looking at her exquisite face in the mirror.
She took a deep breath, reached out, and pulled a seemingly ordinary hairpin from her hair.
Then she deftly unscrewed the hairpin, revealing a miniature transmitter little bigger than a grain of rice inside.
Natasha knew that everywhere on this island was under Jarvis's intelligent surveillance.
But she also knew that some old-school encrypted bands were difficult for an artificial intelligence to intercept in the first instance.
Thus, Natasha quickly tapped on the transmitter.
Beep, beep-beep, beep...
A Morse code sequence that only S.H.I.E.L.D. upper management could decipher turned into a covert signal, piercing through the night sky over the Atlantic Ocean and heading straight for Washington.
"Wakanda... Vibranium mines... A technological superpower that transcends eras... The Stark Brothers are setting out tomorrow."
After finishing the transmission, Natasha plugged the hairpin back into her hair and turned off the faucet.
Seeing herself in the mirror, she sighed helplessly.
"Director Fury, this is a big bomb. I hope your heart can handle it."
Recalling Luca's shameless remarks, Natasha still felt her scalp tingle.
Describing bandit behavior with such righteousness, and even brainwashing the innocent child Spider-Man.
The Stark Brothers were simply two lawless guys.
Meanwhile, in a utility room at the other end of the base.
Jessica crouched behind a pile of cardboard boxes, holding a lipstick-shaped encrypted communicator in her hand.
Her fingers were also tapping rapidly.
"Found astonishing intelligence... Wakanda in Africa hides massive Vibranium resources and advanced technology... Luca Stark has targeted it, and the Justice League will act tomorrow."
After sending this message, Jessica let out a long breath of foul air.
Vibranium!
That was a miraculous metal capable of absorbing kinetic energy!
Jessica knew all too well the strategic significance of Vibranium to the organization.
If Hydra could get Vibranium and create a Vibranium troop.
By then, no matter how much Luca Stark resembled a monster, Hydra would have the confidence to confront him head-on.
"Minister Pierce, the rest is up to you all."
Jessica put away the lipstick, tidied her maid outfit, and turned to walk out of the utility room.
She only hoped now that Hydra's upper management would be a bit smarter and stop provoking Luca.
Instead, while the Stark Brothers went to Africa, they could quietly take a share.
...
Washington, D.C., on the banks of the Potomac River.
S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, beneath the Triskelion building.
This was a safe house known only to Fury and a very few confidants.
The surrounding walls were completely isolated, and no electronic signals could invade from the outside.
At this moment, Nick Fury sat behind his desk.
His dark face was incomparably gloomy.
The cryptographic receiver on the desk had just spat out a slip of paper printed with the intelligence transmitted back by Natasha.
Fury looked at it countless times.
"Wakanda..."
"Vibranium mines... Technological superpower..."
Bang!
Suddenly, Fury slammed his fist onto the desk.
"Motherfucker!"
"A bunch of liars! The whole world has been deceived by them!"
Opposite him, Coulson also widened his eyes in utter disbelief.
"Director, this... how is this possible?"
"In all archives, Wakanda is just a backward agricultural country in East Africa, whose main export products are textiles and crops, and it doesn't even have a decent road!"
Coulson pointed at the slip of paper on the desk, shocked beyond measure.
"How could they possess technology that transcends eras? And also own Vibranium mines?"
"This precisely shows just how perfect their disguise is!"
Fury sneered, his eyes filled with anger.
"They used holographic projections to fool our satellites! With the disguise of a third-world country, they fooled the United Nations' inspections!"
"Then sitting on a mountain of gold, watching us fight bloody battles outside for a few barrels of oil, while thinking of us like a group of monkeys fighting for food in a mud puddle!"
Fury stood up, pacing back and forth irritably.
As the head of the world's largest intelligence agency, he always prided himself on being the chess player who controls everything.
But recently, he felt like a complete and utter blind man.
First, he discovered that S.H.I.E.L.D. was infested with Hydra from within.
Now he discovered that a superpower whose technology crushed the United States was actually hidden on Earth!
"Director, the intelligence says that Luca Stark plans to take people to Wakanda tomorrow."
Coulson looked at the second half of the slip of paper and said with deep concern.
"He even gave this operation a name, called... AfricaPoverty Alleviation."
Hearing this word, Fury was so angry he almost flipped the desk.
"Poverty alleviation? What the fuck poverty alleviation!"
"This lawless bastard is clearly going to rob them openly! He wants to move the Vibranium back to Stark Tower!"
Fury put his hands on his hips, panting heavily.
If it were before, he would have immediately mobilized S.H.I.E.L.D.'s carrier battle group to stop the Stark Brothers.
Or, at least force the Stark Brothers to give S.H.I.E.L.D. a share.
After all, that was Vibranium.
As long as they got Vibranium, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s equipment level could make a qualitative leap.
However, not now.
Fury glanced at the other side of the desk.
A thick stack of documents was piled there.
This was the internal audit report he had investigated day and night over the past two days.
On the list, it was densely packed with the names of senior Agents from various departments of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Behind these names, a glaring cross was drawn in red pen.
"We can't manage the affairs of Wakanda anymore, Coulson."
Fury sat back weakly in his chair, pinching his throbbing brow.
"If Luca Stark wants to go be a bandit, let him go. Even if he sinks the African continent, we can only watch."
Fury pointed at that pile of documents, his gaze turning incomparably cold.
"To deal with external threats, one must first settle internal matters."
"If we don't dig out all the vipers in the house, S.H.I.E.L.D.will collapse from within at any time."
Fury raised his head and looked at Coulson.
"Is the strike team ready?"
Coulson immediately straightened his posture, his expression solemn.
"Ready, Director."
"Agent Melinda Mei has already led the team in place. All personnel participating in the operation are Agents who have undergone repeated background checks to ensure absolute certainty. They haven't used the internal communication system; all communications are single-line contact."
"Very good."
Fury opened the drawer, took out a large-caliber pistol, clicked the bolt back, and slammed it heavily onto the desktop.
"Tonight, I want the blood in this building to flow into the Potomac River."
"Starting from the Second Action Division, according to the list, catch them one by one. If they resist, execute them on the spot!"
"Understood, Director!"
Coulson turned and walked out of the safe house after receiving his orders.
Chapter 179: Hydra and S.H.I.E.L.D. Go to War
At this moment, on the other side of Washington.
Inside a covert study of a Villa.
Pierce was holding a cup of steaming black tea, standing by the window and looking at the night view outside.
At this moment, his mood was quite good.
The screen on the desk was lit up, displaying the encrypted intelligence that Jessica had just transmitted back.
Wakanda.
Vibranium mine.
Technology that surpassed the era.
"This is truly a god-given opportunity."
Pierce took a sip of the black tea and smiled smugly.
"For so many years, Hydra has been searching for a metal capable of carrying the energy of the Tesseract."
"If we can get Wakanda's Vibranium mine, Dr. Zola's designs for those super weapons can all become reality!"
"By that time, Hydra will possess an immortal Vibraniumarmy. The entire world will submit under our feet!"
Pierce put down the teacup, walked over to the desk, and pressed the button on the communicator.
"Connect to Agent Sitwell."
A few seconds later, a somewhat slick male voice came from the communicator.
"Sir, what are your orders?"
"Sitwell," Pierce said in a serious tone.
"Immediately mobilize the remnants lurking on the edges of Europe and Africa, as well as the two mercenary legions we control."
"Have them assemble toward East Africa immediately. The target is Wakanda."
Sitwell on the other end of the communicator was stunned for a moment.
"Wakanda? Sir, this is just an agricultural country, what are we going there for? To harvest corn?"
"Don't ask so many stupid questions," Pierce interrupted him.
"The Stark Brothers will bring people there tomorrow. I want you to ambush on the outer perimeter."
"Listen clearly, do not have a head-on conflict with Luka."
"Your mission is to wait until the Justice League and the people of Wakanda have both suffered heavily, and sneak in amidst the chaos."
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Pierce's eyes.
"As long as you find the Vibranium ore, take as much as you can. After getting your hands on it, retreat immediately and never linger in battle."
"This is an operation where only success is permitted, and failure is not allowed."
Sitwell instantly realized the importance of the mission, and his tone became incomparably respectful.
"Understood, Sir! I'll go arrange it immediately."
After hanging up the communication, Pierce leaned back in his chair with satisfaction.
How should he put it, he felt that his plan was flawless.
As everyone knew, Luka Stark was a madman without a bottom line.
The other party going to rob Wakanda would definitely trigger an earth-shattering battle.
Hydra only needed to act as the mantis stalking the cicada, following behind to pick up the spoils.
However, Pierce's sweet dream had not yet finished.
"Bang!"
The door of the study was suddenly and rudely pushed open.
Sitwell stumbled and scrambled in.
"Sir! Som... Something big has happened!"
Pierce frowned, looking at the other party with displeasure.
"What are you panicking about? Has the sky fallen?"
"The sky has truly fallen, Sir!"
Sitwell swallowed a mouthful of saliva and shouted in panic.
"Nick Fury has made a move!"
"Just ten minutes ago, Fury sent a squad to raid several key departments of the S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters!"
"The supervisor of the 7th Action Squad, the Director of the logistics equipment department, and several senior Sirs of the intelligence analysis division... have all been captured!"
"They were cornered on the spot while destroying documents. Two people tried to resist and were shot to death in their office by Fury's men!"
Hearing this news.
The teacup in Pierce's hand dropped to the ground.
"What did you say?!"
"Has Fury gone mad?! How dare he openly shoot and kill people in the headquarters without the Council's authorization?!"
"He didn't consult the Council, Sir."
Sitwell was almost crying.
"The other party cut off half of the headquarters' communication lines, turning that area into a vacuum zone. He is about to carry out a massive purge!"
"Sir, Fury must have grasped the personnel list."
"If he is allowed to continue interrogating along the vine, the nails we left inside S.H.I.E.L.D. will be pulled out one by one!"
"By then, even your identity in the Security Council will be exposed!"
Pierce's expression instantly turned ashen.
That bastard Fury acted too fast!
So fast that there wasn't even time for Hydra to react.
"Damn it! Damn Stark! Damn Nick Fury!"
Pierce slammed his fist onto the desk, veins bulging on his forehead.
He knew that the moment of life and death had arrived.
They could no longer wait.
If Fury was allowed to continue investigating, decades of Hydra's hard work would all go down the drain.
"Sitwell."
Pierce raised his head, his eyes filled only with desperation-driven madness and killing intent.
"Put the Wakanda operation on hold for now."
"Pass down my order. Initiate the early purge."
Sitwell gasped a breath of cold air.
"Sir, initiate it now? But our carriers haven't yet..."
"I said, initiate it now!"
Pierce roared, interrupting Sitwell's doubts.
"Notify all assault teams lurking in Washington to fully arm themselves immediately and take to the streets!"
Pierce said through gritted teeth.
"Since Nick Fury wants to play at purging, then we'll play a big one with him."
"I want Fury to never see tomorrow's sun. Eliminate him on the streets of Washington!"
"Yes, Sir! Hail Hydra!"
Sitwell saluted, turned around, and hurried out of the study.
Pierce walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, silently watching the quiet streets of Washington.
...
Half an hour later.
Washington, D.C., on the streets of the city center.
A black Chevrolet SUV was driving steadily amidst the traffic.
Inside the carriage.
Nick Fury sat in the back row, holding an interrogation record that had just been delivered.
At this moment, his expression was extremely ugly.
"Director."
Coulson in the driver's seat looked at the rearview mirror and reported.
"The purge operation is still continuing. But the situation is not very optimistic."
"Even when facing the threat of death, those people will only shout a final 'Hail Hydra'."
"They are thoroughly brainwashed. The degree of infiltration is deeper than we imagined."
Fury threw the interrogation record aside and let out a cold snort.
"A bunch of rats hiding in the gutters, hiding for so many years, yet their bones are quite hard."
"But it doesn't matter. As long as they are still in the building, I can drag them out one by one."
"Go to the safe house, Coulson. We will work there tonight."
"Understood, Director."
Coulson turned the steering wheel, preparing to make a right turn at the intersection ahead.
Just at this moment.
At the intersection ahead, two normally driving police cars suddenly slammed on their brakes and blocked the middle of the road horizontally.
This move tightly blocked the Chevrolet's path.
"What's going on? Are the police blocking the road?"
Coulson frowned and stepped on the brake.
"Something's wrong."
Fury's single eye narrowed, years of intuition making him instantly sense danger.
"These are not police! Reverse! Coulson! Reverse immediately!"
However, it was already too late.
On the street behind, two black heavy armored vehicles likewise rushed out, sealing off their retreat route.
Right after.
The doors of the cars by the roadside were pulled open.
Over a dozen fully armed people jumped down.
Then they directly raised automatic rifles and grenade launchers, aiming at Fury's Chevrolet.
"Fire!!!"
The leading armed militant roared.
Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat-tat!!!
The deafening gunfire instantly tore apart Washington's tranquility.
Countless bullets poured down like a rainstorm onto the body of the Chevrolet.
"Bang, bang, bang!"
Under the dense firepower, large areas of cracks appeared on the bulletproof glass.
The car body was also struck with flying sparks everywhere.
"Warning! Car body integrity has dropped to seventy percent!"
The vehicle-mounted AI issued an alarm.
"Fuck!"
Fury drew his pistol and cursed loudly.
"These bastards! How dare they directly make a move on the main street!"
Coulson lay beneath the steering wheel, dodging the flying bullets.
"Director! It's Hydra! They are counterattacking!"
"I've grown eyes, I can see!"
Fury gritted his teeth, watching the increasingly larger cracks on the car window.
He knew that the bulletproof glass couldn't hold on for long.
"Activate the weapon system!" Fury shouted.
"Weapon system is offline, severely damaged!" the AI reported.
Boom!
A miniature grenade exploded directly at the front of the car, kicking up massive flames.
The Chevrolet was violently shaken by the explosion, and the hood was blown away.
"These madmen want to blow us into ashes!"
Fury's eyes were filled with Fury, but also carried a trace of despair.
He calculated everything, but never expected Hydra to be arrogant to this extent.
This was the center of power of the United States, less than a few kilometers away from the White House.
They actually dared to use heavy firepower here to assassinate the S.H.I.E.L.D. Director!
"Director, the glass can't hold!" Coulson shouted.
With a click.
The bulletproof glass on the side finally shattered, and a few bullets flew past Fury's scalp, striking the seat.
"Damn Hydra!"
In the desperate situation, Fury couldn't help but curse heavily.
"Coulson, open the chassis escape pod!"
"I'll count to three, prepare to abandon the car!"
"Three!"
"Two!"
"One!"
Following Fury's countdown, the chassis of the Chevrolet made a muffled sound, and a covert escape passage opened.
Fury and Coulson followed the passage, rolling directly into the city sewer system.
Just the next second after they entered the sewers.
Rumble!!!
Several grenades simultaneously hit the Chevrolet.
Amidst the soaring flames, the vehicle turned into a pile of burning scrap metal.
In the sewer, Fury and Coulson were covered in filth and looked extremely disheveled.
Listening to the commotion above, Fury's eyes burned with a raging fire of vengeance.
Afterwards, he took out a backup communicator.
"We are going underground."
"This war, we will fight to the death!"
That night, Washington's night sky was dyed crimson by the flames.
Chapter 180: On What Basis?!
New York, Manhattan.
Morning sunlight spilled across the top floor of the Stark Industries Tower.
In front of the floor-to-ceiling window, Luca held a cup of coffee, quietly looking down at New York as it just woke up.
Wakanda.
A small East African nation long labeled on the UN roster as surviving on agricultural aid.
But in reality?
Based on the collateral data Jarvis pulled overnight and reports analyzing local magnetic anomalies...
That place definitely hid a massive energy source.
Their disguise as an agrarian nation showed they were extremely xenophobic and deeply fearful of outside greed.
Their ability to hide right under the nose of the whole world for so many years proved how advanced their technology was.
And the root of all this was the Vibranium mine!
Vibranium, the hardest metal on Earth.
At this thought, Luca narrowed his eyes slightly.
For a country so full of itself, business negotiations and diplomatic platitudes were complete garbage.
If you knocked on their door politely, they would only kick you out and continue hiding in their turtle shell, mocking the outside world.
Therefore, Luca's objective was crystal clear.
He was going there to harvest.
Dealing with an arrogant hedgehog required ruthlessly tearing apart its shell!
Grind their technology and defenses into the dirt, crushing them into absolute submission!
Once they faced reality and understood who the true master of this planet was...
...he would sit down in triumph and force them to sign humiliating, unequal treaties.
This was a Stark-style corporate acquisition!
"Jarvis," Luca put down his coffee, his tone decisive.
"Notify Peter, Gwen, Wanda, and Pietro to gather at the rooftop helipad in an hour."
"Very well, sir. Should I inform Captain Steve and Master Wong?"
"No need." Luca waved a hand.
"We don't need them for this operation. Just consider it a team-building exercise for the new recruits of the Justice League."
...
An hour later.
On the helipad.
A stealth transport jet with a sci-fi design, the justice, had already started its engines.
Peter stood before the boarding ramp carrying his backpack, his face filled with conflict.
Although he had been convinced by Luca last night...
...after sleeping on it, his moral compass as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man began to ache again.
"Mr. Luca..."
Peter pulled back Luca, who was about to board, and stammered.
"I... I still feel like this isn't right. Wakanda is a sovereign nation, after all. Going over there fully armed like this... isn't that a bit... a bit like invaders?"
Hearing Peter's concern, Pietro, who was following behind, rolled his eyes.
"Can't your brain work properly? If Luca says we're going to bring warmth, then we're bringing warmth. Why do you have so much nonsense to say?"
Luca didn't get angry; instead, he stopped.
He turned around, placed both hands on Peter's shoulders, and looked at him with utmost sincerity.
"Peter, you are still too naive and kind."
"Do you think being a sovereign nation represents justice?"
"Look at this world! How many people are starving because of an energy crisis? How many are dying in pain from incurable diseases? And what about Wakanda?"
"They hold Vibranium and technology capable of altering the fate of all humanity, yet they keep it tightly locked away!"
"They hide behind an energy shield living like gods, watching people outside bleed and cry, yet refusing to lift a single finger!"
Luca's tone grew heavier, seemingly genuinely angered by it.
"This isn't sovereignty; it's selfishness! It's an obstacle to the progress of all humanity! It's a crime against the world!"
"We're not going there to invade, Peter."
Luca stared straight into Peter's eyes, as if passing down a holy mission.
"We are going to break tech barriers! We are going to conduct an anti-monopoly investigation! We are going to bring Stark Industries' advanced management experience to that backward world and spread warmth to all humanity!"
"If their stubbornness blocks humanity's future, then it is our responsibility to use our power to wake them up!"
"With great power comes great responsibility. Have you forgotten?"
It had to be said, this logic of twisting black and white actually sounded grand and noble coming from Luca's mouth!
Peter was stunned.
The phrase "with great power comes great responsibility" inspired him once again.
That's right!
Wakanda hoarding life-saving tech without sharing it was indeed way too selfish!
Mr. Luca was doing this for the future of all humanity!
"I understand, Mr. Luca!"
The conflict in Peter's eyes vanished in an instant.
"We're going to break a monopoly and spread warmth to the world! I'm ready!"
Gwen and Wanda, watching from the side, were utterly bewildered.
Although they vaguely felt something was wrong...
...looking at Luca's handsome, righteous face, they actually found his words quite convincing.
"Let's go!"
Luca patted Peter's shoulder with satisfaction, turned, and stepped into the cabin.
As the door closed, the justice shot into the sky, speeding toward the African continent.
Inside the cabin.
Natasha and Jessica, tasked with serving tea and drinks, were standing in a corner trembling while holding trays filled with red wine and fruit platters.
Today, they had been forced to change into classic black-and-white maid outfits—with very short skirts and white aprons cinching their slender waists.
But that wasn't what worried them.
Last night, both of them had transmitted intelligence back to their respective headquarters.
However, this morning, they received news from their former bosses at the same time.
S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra had broken out into an all-out firefight on the streets of Washington!
Fury was being hunted down by Hydra assassins in the sewers.
Pierce was fending off assassination attempts from S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents in a secret stronghold.
Both sides' top leaders were beating each other's brains out, leaving them with zero time to care about the two women.
"When gods fight, the little devils suffer..."
Natasha and Jessica glanced at each other, seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.
With their former bosses locked in a civil war, they had been completely abandoned like orphans.
On this aircraft full of monsters...
...there was literally nothing they could do except obediently serve plates and pour wine for Luca.
...
Meanwhile...
United States, Washington, D.C.
Deep inside a dark and damp sewer line.
An abandoned air-raid shelter had been temporarily converted into a S.H.I.E.L.D. safehouse.
Nick Fury was covered in mud, his black trench coat smeared with rat droppings from who knows where.
Bandages wrapped around his head, his sole remaining eye bloodshot, he leaned against the corner wall, gasping heavily for breath.
Coulson was equally disheveled, holding a submachine gun and warily watching the sewer entrance.
Last night, they were ambushed by Hydra assassins and came inches from dying on the streets.
If Fury hadn't reacted quickly, the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.would already be a corpse.
"Motherfucker!!"
In a fit of rage, Fury slammed his fist against a nearby iron pipe, causing rust to shower down.
"We're being hunted like dogs in the mud by Hydra, unable to even get a decent sleep!"
"And damn Luca Stark is flying a private jet with babes to Africa to rob the richest country in the world?!"
Fury had just received the final intel report Natasha sent from the aircraft, knowing that Luca had already departed.
This Stark contrast made the King of Agents feel broken and green with envy.
On what basis?!
I'm down here drinking filthy sewer water, and you're up on a plane drinking Romanée-Conti?!
But I'm the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D.!!
Although Fury was green with envy over Wakanda's Vibranium mine...
...after all, if they could get their hands on it, S.H.I.E.L.D.'s firepower could easily crush Hydra.
...he could barely protect himself right now and couldn't spare a single Agent to go to Africa and claim a piece of the pie.
"Director, what do we do now? Should we contact the the military..." Coulson asked worriedly.
"Contact my ass!" Fury interrupted, gritting his teeth.
"Wakanda hid for so long that it even fooled our satellites; it's definitely a terrifying place!"
"Let that lunatic Stark go kick that steel wall!"
"I'd love to see how he suffers a setback in the African jungle!"
...
Meanwhile...
On the other side of Washington.
Inside Alexander Pierce's secret command center.
The faint sounds of intense gunfire echoed from the streets outside.
That was Hydra's strike team engaged in urban warfare with S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents.
Sitting behind the glass window, Pierce stared at the intel sent back by Jessica, his eyes turning blood-red with envy.
Vibranium!
This was a strategic material Hydra dreamed of acquiring!
With Vibranium, Dr. Zola's ultimate weapon could be completed decades ahead of schedule!
What a pity, what a shame.
Now he could only watch helplessly as Luca swallowed this juicy piece of meat whole!
Bang!
Enraged, Pierce grabbed a teacup and smashed it violently against the wall.
"Damn cotton machine! If he hadn't gone mad, I would've already sent people to infiltrate Wakanda!"
The more he thought about it, the angrier he got. Pierce's chest heaved dramatically, taking several deep breaths before barely suppressing the rage in his heart.
"We have to abandon the Vibranium for now."
Pierce closed his eyes and sneered, comforting himself.
"Luca might be strong, but Wakanda is no pushover either. Once they fight tooth and nail in the jungle..."
"...we'll deal with Nick Fury first and fully take over S.H.I.E.L.D.'s resources. When that time comes, it won't be too late to clean up the mess!"